The Hindu : Karnataka News : Many allegations against BJP candidates

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 27, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka

Many allegations against BJP candidates

Staff Reporter

Voters allegedly lured with money, liquor, meat and goodies, says Dalit activist

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

Unauthorised?: Children double up as election agents to help people find their names in the voters' list at Halesandigehalli in Anekal taluk on Sunday.

ANEKAL: The defining feature in the vicinity of polling booths here on Sunday was the overbearing stench of liquor emanating from those milling around. An indication of what might have transpired the previous night could be had from the fact that activists cutting across party lines as well as several voters were quite visibly in an inebriated state.

Although polling was largely peaceful in this taluk, which has a history of political violence, election day was stained by widespread allegations of malpractice levelled against candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

At a booth in Yamare, BJP candidate Jayaprakash allegedly threatened presiding officer Narase Gowda with dire consequences when he prevented people without legitimate identity cards from voting. “He threatened that he will bring his supporters and overrun the booth. We finally managed to push him out of the booth with the help of the police,” said Mr. Gowda.

Mr. Jayprakash told The Hindu, “Why are they being so strict about ID cards? I too have seen several elections in my life time; such small things do not matter. The presiding officer is acting like an agent of the Opposition parties.”

When The Hindu reached Sarjapur, a man was having an argument with the police officers outside the polling booth. He identified himself as D. Muniyalappa and said, “The police are acting like agents of ruling party candidates.” Pointing to a group of persons inside the school where the polling was being held, he said, “They are BJP activists and they are being allowed to campaign right outside the booth.” Adoor Prakash, a local Dalit leader, alleged that Saturday night saw frenetic activity where both Congress and BJP candidates tried to entice voters with money, liquor, meat and goodies. Other sources, who wished to remain anonymous, concurred with Mr. Prakash.

According to their version, the goodies included live chickens, cooked meat in stainless-steel containers for keeps, silver cups, nose rings, mixer-grinders for larger families with more voters as well as cash.

There were varying accounts of exactly how much was paid to the voters. Some put the figure as high as Rs. 1,000. The worst affected by such enticements were said to be Marsoor, Honekenalli, Inglawadi, Sarjapura, Nalliyanadoddi, Aralli and Lakshmipura.

There was heavy police deployment in areas dominated by Dalits, economically weaker sections as well as minorities.

Returning Officer B.H. Siddappa said this was done to protect these communities from “duress or pressure”.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News Update

Stories in this Section